If you’re on the lookout for a one-of-a-kind show, then Angélique Kidjo and Yo-Yo Ma’s Sarabande Africaine concert on Thursday, Aug. 28, at the Hollywood Bowl has you covered. The two artists – who first met in 2018 at a ceremony for the centenary of World War I, having since carved a corner in their respective careers collaborating with one another – take their shared passion for shedding light on hidden histories via music. Tickets currently start at $13, but be on the lookout for a Grimy Goods ticket giveaway. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram to be among the first to know when we drop the giveaway.

Angélique Kidjo is in a class of her own

Born in present-day Benin, Kidjo grew up in an artistic family, with her father being a musician and her mother being a choreographer and theatre director. When she moved to Paris, she found herself at a crossroads between becoming a human rights lawyer and becoming a musician.

She would end up choosing the latter, following in her father’s footsteps and bringing the world’s attention to the history and culture of West Africa. Her brand of afropop, afrobeat, and various other genres of music separated her early on, in large part because she never limited herself to one category. That ability to keep challenging herself is among the many reasons why she became an international force.

While there are too many accomplishments and accolades to name, highlights of her career include performing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, winning the Crystal Award in 2015, and landing on Time’s 100 Most Influential People list in 2021.

The world of Yo-Yo Ma

To say Yo-Yo Ma has had a successful career would be an understatement. Seemingly from the beginning, the cellist’s beginnings in Paris saw him get singled out as a child prodigy, already playing the cello at 4 years old. To put his talent into context at such a young age, he performed for Dwight D. Eisenhower when he was 5 years old and for John F. Kennedy when he was 7 years old.

Of course, his career didn’t peak in his childhood. Later on in life, he built up a reputation for dipping into just about every genre possible, ranging from classical to bluegrass and everything in between. His dynamic artistry would guide him throughout an acclaimed career, earning the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, winning 19 Grammys, and, like Kidjo, landing on Time’s 100 Most Influential People list in 2020.

Putting together Sarabande Africaine

When the two artists played together in 2018, where Ma played a Bach sarabande and Kidjo sang an Ewe dirge in honor of African soldiers who died in WWI, their musical connection was evident. They would later bond over how African culture and, by extension, African music are overlooked or outright rejected by the Western world.

In the same spirit as their first encounter, Sarabande Africaine seeks to reckon and rectify the disregard for African music, with the concert putting the continent-spanning sarabande dance at the core of their message. On top of the concert’s already earnest intentions, Ma and Kidjo brought in other artists to perform alongside them, including Thierry Vaton, David Donatien, and special guest Sinkane. With that sort of consideration for an entire culture, there’s no denying concerts like these are far and few in between.

Tips on getting to the Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl was made for events like this. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, it’s worth planning your route to the Bowl, considering the concert lands on a Thursday. While the distance between you and the venue may vary, the traffic around the various entrances can get hectic if you’re in a rush.

For this reason, we suggest getting there at least an hour before the concert begins at 8:00 PM. For a frame of reference, gates open at 6:00 PM, which is also a good time to arrive, as is 6:30 PM.

However, your options aren’t limited to a possibly frustrating commute. Like The Ford, the Hollywood Bowl has several travel options ranging from free shuttles to parking on-site and off-site. In case you want to consider all your options ahead of the concert, be sure to check out the venue’s dedicated page.

Last but not least, you’ll be relieved to know that outside food and drinks are allowed, so long as they follow the Bowl’s rules. For any concert at the historic amphitheater, it’s a great way to personalize your experience, whether you plan on bringing wine to share or dinner to eat. There are also restaurants and delicious street foods and more conessions available around the Bowl. See their full rules here.

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Your time at the Hollywood Bowl doesn’t have to be limited to the Aug. 28 show. If you’re looking for more classical shows, see Romeo, Juliet & Dance Theatre of Harlem on Thursday, Sept. 11. For something a little bit different, psych-soul band Hiatus Kaiyote and Snarky Puppy team up for a Sept. 3 show unlike any other. For classic rock fans, you won’t want to miss Chicago, complete with fireworks, at the Hollywood Bowl on Sept. 12, 13, and 14.

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